Loading or unloading machine



3 Sheets--Sheeil 1.

(No Model.) v

1:". 0. KILGORE. LOADING 0R UNLOADING MACHINE.

Patented Aug.' 17, 1897.

l nml si No Model.) 3 sheetssheet 2.

P; 0. KILGORE. LOADING 0R UNLOADING MAUHINB.

l NQ. 5788*,277.

(No Model.) 3 sheets-sheen a. P. o. KILGORB. LOADING 0R UNLDADING MACHINE. No. 588,277. Patented Aug. 17,1897.

|s PETERS PHQTOJYJHO., WASHINGTON. D, G.

TN: Nona Unrrnn STATI-3s PATENT raton.

FREDERICK O. KILGORE, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. i

LOADING OR UNLOADING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming* part of Letters Patent No. 588,277, dated August 17, 1897.

' Application lecl November 4, 1895. Serial No. 567,790. (No mode] l T all whom t may concern:

Beit known that LFREDERICK O. KILeoRE,

a citizen of the United States, residing ati Y act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is especially designed as an improvement in loading and unloading machines for better adapting the same to advantageous and economical use in loading cars, but is capable of general application Wherever it is desired to vertically adjust a platform on its supporting-legs or the legs on the platform at will without turning the structure upside down. Otherwise stated, I provide a ,platform and legs so connected that either can be adjusted on the other in the vertical plane while remaining right side up, according to which is made the base of resistance. This feature of construction enables me to mount a loading and unloading machine in such a way that the same can be made to straddle a car and remain in a constant position until one car after the other is loaded thereby and be then dropped onto any empty car which happens to be under the machine and be carried off with the car to the point Where the train is unloaded, when it can be again raised above the car, so as to straddle the same and be used for unloading the oars in succession under thereverse movement 'of the train.

To the ends above noted my invention consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described, and defined in the claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein, like letters referring to like parts- Figure l is a side elevation showing my improved loading and unloading machine as it would appear when in working position for loading orv unloading a logging-train with grip had been raised on the leg by the upstroke `of the motor-piston when the platform and car serve as the base of resistance. Fig. 4 is a similar'view of the same parts as they would appear after the motor had made its return or reverse stroke,so as to lift the platform on the grip and leg as a base of resistance for one step above the car. Fig.' 5 is a detail showing the clutch or locking device for locking the platformand legs togetherin any desired relativeadjustment. Fig. 6 is a detail showing connection from one of the motorpiston rods tothe grip or clevis links. Fig. 7 is a detailin perspective, showing grapplehook and pole for manipulating same, with some parts broken away; and Fig. 8 is a view in end elevation with some parts broken away, showing modified form of device `1"or" effecting-the relative adjustment of the plat` form and legs. y

a represents a railway-track, and a represents flat cars thereon of the kind which are used onlogging-roads for the transportation of logs.

b, b 2 represent, respectively, longitudinal metallic I-beams, transverse channeliron cross-beams, and the flooring, which parts together constitute the platform. The longitudinal I -beams b and the channeliron cross-beams b are bolted together and are suitably braced by stay-bars '113, so as to aiford a very rigid and strong structure. Two cross-beams bf are used at each end of the platform, which are suitably spaced apart from each other and are embraced and tied together at their outer ends by yoke-shaped caps b4, securely bolted or riveted to the crossbeams. To the inner faces of the ends of the caps b4 are fixed angular shoes b5, with the inner faces of the said shoes sloping outward from top to bottom. At a suitable distance inward from the fixed shoes b5 is mounted in the cross-beams a rock-shaft b, with an eccentric 57, which carries a clutching-shoe bs, which coperates withmthe fixed shoe b5 to form guides for the cooperating leg c at that corner of the platform. The rock-shaft h6 is provided at one end with a hand-lever b9, by means of which the clutching-shoe bs may be IOO thrown into or out of clutching` engagement l with the leg c.

Pairs of rigid angle-iron bars b1" extend outward from points beyond the center of the cross-beams D' at an angle to the body of the platform and are connected at their outer or upper ends by pairs of channel-iron crossplates o, suitably spaced apart and suitably set to form upper end guides for the coperating leg c at. that corner of the platform. The said arms Z110, which extend outward from the common cross-beams to the opposite corners of the platform, cross each other and are rigidly connected at their crossing points by a cross-tie Z212. The outer ends of the parts bm are further braced by stay-rods D, con necting the same with the cross-beams b.

Between the cross-beams b', directly inward of each of the legs c, is fixed the cylinder f of the steam-engine. The piston-rod f of the engine works upward through a guide-plate f2, fixed to the overhanging angle-bar bio. The piston-rod is squared or otherwise enlarged, as shown at f3, and is provided with trunnions f4. rlhe pins f4 conneet the piston-rod f' to the lower ends of a pair of links f, which pivotally connect:I at their upper ends to cross-rods f6, carried by a grip or clevis iron f7 f8, embracing the leg c. The said grips comprise the side strap f7, the cross-rods ff, and a pair of shoes f", loosely mounted one on each of the said rods f5. To one of the side pieces or straps f7 is attached an inwardly-projecting lever-arm fm. Vith this construction of the said grip or clevis the same may be made to bind on the leg c, embraced thereby, or to move freely on the leg, according to whether the grip is set at right angles to the leg` or at an oblique angle thereto.

The engines employed are of the ordinary standard construction which take steam on both sides of the piston. The valve-chest and valve mechanism are not shown, but would be of ordinary or any suitable construction, under the control of the operator on the platform through a hand-lever or connections of any suitable kind.

The action or operation will be readily understood by comparison of Figs. 2, 3, and 4. In Fig. 2 the parts are all in their normal position as they appear when the platform is carried by the car and the legs rest on the ground. By then manipulating any given grip or clevis by its operating-leverfm, so as to throw the saine into its loose position on the leg c, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and so holding the same by hand until steam has been given to the engine on the under side of the piston the upward or out stroke of the piston will carry the grip upward on the leg into the position shown in Fig. 3, with the platform and car as the base of resistance. By then letting go of the hand-lever flo the clevis or grip will assume its clutching position on the leg. By then giving the engine steam above the piston it will malte its reverse or return stroke by the cylinder rising on the piston against the grip and the leg as the base of resistance, so as to lift the platform away from the ear or into the position shown in Fig. 4. By then operatingthe platform clutch-lcver il the platform may be locked to the leg in its elevated position. I `urtl1ersteps of upward movement may be made by repeating the said actions until the platform is elevated to any desired height on the leg c. One or two steps of movement upward will be sufficient to afford the requisite clearance above the ear.

The motors for the respective legs may be arranged either for independent action in succession or for simultaneous action under control from a common source.

Vhenever it is desired to lower the platform onto the car or other desired point, the same may be readily done by reversing the motions above described. It is equally obvious that when the platform has been lowered onto the car the legs may be elevated or moved upward in respect to the platform, while the platform remains stationary on the ear as the base of resistance, so as to bring the legs to any desired height required for clearance in transporting the machine on the ear.

. The platform is shown as equipped with a swinging crane g g', of which parts g represents the pivoted mast, and g the boom pivoted to the mast. An engine g2 is carried by the mast with its piston-rod connected through a link g3 with the inner end of the boom for imparting the necessary pivotal movements to the boom in respect to the mast. The mast is provided at its lower end with a large lgear g, which is engaged by a rack g5, carried by the piston of a horizontal engine y on the platform for imparting the swinging motions to the crane in the horizontal plane. g7 indicates a boiler for the supply of steam to all of the engines located on the platform. The valve mechanism for the crane-operating engines is not shown, but would preferably be of the design disclosed in my prior United States patent issued of date September 3, 1895, numbered 545,589, entitled Power-crane.

The upper end bearing for the crane-mast is shown as afforded by an eye g8, carried at the upper end junction of a pair of stay-rods g, rising from the platform.

A windlass g1@ is shown as carried by the crane-mast, and the outer end of the boom is shown as provided with a guide-pulleygu. The cable g1?, attached to the spool of the windlass, passes over the guide-pulley y and is provided with a pair of hook-ended strands gm, which cooperate under the action of the windlass and guide-pulley as a grapple to engage the log 7L or other object endwise, as shown in Fig. l of t-he drawings.

In handling logs for loading or unloading a train two men work together, one at each end of the ear. Hence one man h is available for each of the hook or grapple strands IOO IIO

588,277 i A e a horizontal position, which enables the same Y trains of cars.

to be properly positioned in much less time than with the ordinary form of grapple-ton gs.

The great economy and advantage of a loading and unloading machine mounted in the manner described on a platform which can be carriedwith or be made to straddle a car at will is something that will be appreciated by all persons familiar with the work hitherto required for loading or unloading` l/Vith this machine the platform may be elevated above the car and remain stationary in one position until the whole train has been loaded, one car after the other, thereby in succession. The machine may then be dropped onto the underlying empty car and be carried therewith to the unloading-point, where the machine can again be made to straddle the car in a stationary position until the train is unloaded thereby, one car after the otherin succession, in the reverse order of loading.

Vhile the platform and legs, connected for relative adjustment of either upon the other as a base of resistance in alternate order, arev especially designed forsupporting loading and unloading mechanism, it must be obvious that the same are capable of general application for a great variety of purposes, wherever such motions maybe desired, regardless of the load which may be carried on the platform. y

By reference particularly to Figs. 2, 3, and 4 it will be noted that the legs or spuds care set on inclines with their lower ends flaring outward and bear such relation to the side margins ofthe platform that when they are lowered their lower ends project outward beyond the side margins of the platform, butV that when the legs are raised their lower ends will be drawn inward of the sidednargins of said platform. tant, as the opposite side legs, when supporting the platform, will be braced laterallyT against each other to steady the platform. When, however, the legs are raised, inasmuch as they will be drawn inward of the side margins of the platform they will clear any and all bridges or other structures which maybe passed by the car itself.

The form of motors and the form of connections shown for rendering the same oper- This arrangement is impor-` ployed which would give the motions required. For example, various other forms of motors might be used, or hand-power devices might be employed. The guiding and locking connections between the platform and the legs might also take various other forms.

For eXample,'a simple form of hand-power device is illustrated in the modification shown in Fig. 8. Therein la represents a rack fixed to the inner face of the leg c, and k represents a pinion in mesh with the said rack and fixed to the shaft 102, journalcd in the crossbeams b. The said shaft 7a2 is provided with a ratchet-wheel k3. A hand-lever 7a4 is loosely pivoted on the shaft 7a2 and is provided with a pawl fc5, engaging the ratchet-wheelcB. A lock-pawl 71;, acting by gravity, also normally engages with the ratchet-wheel 7c3 to hold the same wherever set. Y, It is obvious that with" this hand device (shown in Fig. S) the platform or leg may be raised or lowered one on the other, according to which is made the base of resistance, with the same results as with the power devices shown in the principal views.

The pole Q14 (shown in Figs. l and 7.) is provided with a swivel-link g15, which engages with an eye 916 on the back of the grapplehook Q13. This construction enables the workman h to readily manipulate the grapplehooks Q13 for engagement or disengagement with the log and to manipulate t-he log for properly directing the same, as show-n in Fig. l, when the hooks are engaged therewith.

What I claim, and desire to secure b v Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

l. The combination with a platform, of legs connected thereto, with freedom for vertical adjustment of either of said parts on the other, and sliding grips carried by said platform and constructed with parts which by extreme movements in either direction, engage said legs and positively force the same in either of two opposite directions, at will, substantially as described. v 2. The combination with a platform, of legs connected thereto, with freedom for the vertical adjustment of either of said parts on the other, as a base of resistance, motors carried by one of said parts, and sliding grips carried by the other of said parts and subject to said motors, for effecting said relative adj ustments, substantially as described.

3. A loading-machine, involving the combination with a platform adapted to rest upon and overreach a car, of hoisting mechanism mounted thereon, legs connected with the platform through guides which permit the vvertical movement of said platform on said legs, or vice versa, sliding grips carried by the platform and operative on said legs, and locking devices for securing said platform and legs togetherin any set position, substantially as described.

4. A loading-machine involving the combination with a platform adapted to rest upon and overreach a car, legs connected with said platform through guides which permit the IOO vertical movement of said platform on said legs, or vice versa, and sliding grips carried by said platform and operative on said legs, involving each a pivoted lever flprovided with l a pairof pivoted friction-shoes]C9 working one l on eaeh side of the cooperating leg, subsi-antially as described.

5. The combination, for handling logs and other objects, comprising a swinging crane, a pulley or cable guide at the outer end of the boom, a windlass on the crane or crane-support, a cable subject to said windlass, over said pulley or guide, and provided with a pair of hook-ended strands, at its outer end, and manipulating-poles pivoted to said hooks, all for Cooperation, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a car-platform, of supportinglegs movable through seats formed in said platform, said legs being set on downwardly-Haring angles and so related 1 to the side margins of said platform that when lowered, their lower ends will project laterally outward from said platform, but when raised, will be drawn within the side margins thereof, Substantially as described.

7. The combination with a platform, of legs connected thereto, with freedom for Vertical adjustment of either of said parts on the other, as a base of resistance, independent motors, one for each of said legs, and connections from each of said motors to the cooperating leg, constructed to positively force the same in either of two opposite directions, at will, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK O. KILGORE.

Witnesses:

JAS. F. WILLIAMSON,

F. EmIoRE. 

